Standing in the classroom of The Old Schoolhouse, one expects to hear the chanting of times tables as pupils crane their necks to see out the high windows.
But the echo of young voices alongside the smell of chalk dust has long since faded; and the headmaster no longer resides at the cottage just a stone’s throw from where his young charges sat in rows.
Relics of the past still remain however, from a harmonium still in working order to a dusty B&B sign from the school’s days as a guest house during the Sixties.
Such treasures have been carefully preserved by Julia and David Macaulay, who describe themselves as custodians of the refurbished five-bedroom property on the outskirts of the village of Catterline.
The pair moved in 14 years ago, and Julia’s charming eccentric air as an artist is balanced by David’s pragmatic attitude.
He was abroad due to his job in the oil industry when Julia first spied The Old Schoolhouse, but they both fell in love with the period property and set about bringing it back to life.
Its previous owners had made some headway, but it took a careful and rather special touch to restore its history alongside some more modern features.
Both Julia and David are more than a little sad to leave, but a recent health scare which left Julia wheelchair bound for some time has forced them to reassess their priorities.
Whilst they seem as much a part of The Old Schoolhouse as the sloping ceilings and original floorboards, they are leaving with many happy memories.
They won’t be the only ones to hand keys back either, as so close-knit is the community of Catterline that many villagers also have a key from stints spent cat sitting, not to mention the popular card nights and Burns suppers.
“The last owner shed a few tears when he handed the keys over and having lived here for more than a decade, we can now understand why,” said Julia
“I always think this house has a wonderful creative air, there are quite a few musicians who live round here and we’ve held concerts in the main classroom with 80 people in attendance.
“One of my friends likes to come here and she’s a composer. Could there be a better accolade for the feeling you get when coming to The Old Schoolhouse?
“It feels so warm and there’s a sense of well-being.
“There are some items which we will be leaving behind because they are part of the history, and we hope the new owners continue with that love.”
Julia and David have made dozens of changes to the property and have created a stunning and flowing living space.
The layout tells the story of the building, with the head master’s cottage built in 1850.
This area of the house has two double bedrooms upstairs where the couple’s four grandchildren stay, and there are stunning views towards the sea.
The cottage became attached after the school was built in 1901, and the space would be ideal for those with teenagers hankering after privacy.
Julia and David have enjoyed creating little hubs which span the length of the house though.
Much of the design and layout is of Julia’s invention, and the heart of the home is the beautiful dining kitchen.
Many a dinner party has been hosted in this room alongside community card nights, although Julia insists the only money at stake comes in the currency of smarties!
Integrated appliances include an electric oven, steam oven, and microwave oven, alongside a larder style fridge and separate chilled wine cabinet.
“This is where everyone comes together, we always have Christmas in the kitchen and we love entertaining in general,” said Julia.
“Having a wood-burning stove means we are always cosy , and I love having a pantry just off the kitchen where you can often look out the window and see some nosy Highland cows.”
The beautiful family bathroom can be found on this side of the house, complete with roll-top bath and underfloor heating.
Head on through to what is now the galleried drawing room, with two almost floor to ceiling 21 pane windows.
This breathtaking room is unique to The Old Schoolhouse and has been wonderfully renovated.
Julia’s artwork adorns the walls, including sunsets she painted when wheelchair bound, and the space has been ideal for open studio events – where hundreds of people trooped through to admire her paintings.
The original floor has been waxed and sanded while the original windows were restored to their former glory.
The crowning glory is the Italian handmade wood-burning stove.
“I knew this room needed a fire with panache when I spied this stove online, it took six months to arrive from Milan,” said Julia.
“It completes the room, and all the radiators in here are cast iron with each section weighing 20 kilos.
“Men came up from the village to help us install the radiators and I think that demonstrates the community spirit. They also built a wheelchair ramp for me without being asked.”
The drawing room has seen many a play performed, while the mezzanine level is home to a games area with snooker table.
There is a further family room and a wonderful artist’s studio where Julia has painted to her heart’s content
Three good-sized bedrooms can be found on the ground floor, and one room boasts an en-suite with under-floor heating. Ever creative, Julia has carefully cultivated beautiful gardens, which include a walled garden and herb garden.
“I always do the girl guide tricking of licking my finger to see which way the wind is blowing, before picking a spot for my coffee,” said Julia.
“I love gardening and we can choose from several spots, spring and summer is a particularly wonderful time of year here.
“Living here has been a joy in so many ways, although we’ve always thought of ourselves as custodians of The Old Schoolhouse.
“The new owners will be the latest in the line, it took us nearly a year to decide to sell but we need to think with our heads.
“The Old Schoolhouse will always have our heart.”
Offers should be made in the region of more than £470,000.
Contact Savills on 01224 971110.
